The Front Runner (Review)
The Front Runner Proves to Be a Complicated if not Compelling Film.
The Front Runner is a politically charged film filled with impressive performances from actors with long resumes filled with, well, impressive performances. While Hugh Jackman might always be good old Wolverine to me, I have to admit that he’s really started flexing his acting muscles since he hung up his claws. While it’s hard not to find Gary Hart despicable for his actions during most of the film, I have to say that Jackman is exquisite playing the politician. The problem is he’s so likable that it’s hard to hold Hart accountable for his actions or even be angry at him. Then again, that might be the entire point. After all, it’s from Jason Reitman who specializes in films filled with social commentary about broken male characters.
The Front Runner revolves around failed presidential candidate Gary Hartman who was the man to beat in 1988. However, like most politicians, he had a problem keeping it in his pants and within a few weeks, his chance at becoming the next president was up in smoke. Jackman brings that incredible Austrailian charisma of his to the role, which is a bit problematic all things considered. But I believe that could be exactly what The Front Runner was trying to do. The entire film is basically about a man who would have been a tremendous leader for the country, but might not have been a good man from an ethical standpoint. Thus an internal conflict is created among audience members who might think that anyone would be better than our current Commander-in-Chief. However, where is the line is when it comes to “anyone.”
The question that arises in The Front Runner is if a man’s personal life is relevant to his professional one. This proves to be one of the more uncomfortable relevant questions I’ve seen brought up in films this year. Part of me wants to say that if Hart was qualified than his marital failings shouldn’t really matter to the rest of the country. However, this amounts to trying to separate the art from the artist, a pitfall that is more tremulous than ever given the current landscape of Hollywood. I don’t believe that Reitman is trying to gain sympathy for those who have contributed to the need for the #metoo movement, but the question of “what business is it of ours” is one that’s hard to ignore.
The thing is that The Front Runner never really tries to make you feel sorry for Gary Hart. There’s no arguing that he screwed up and there’s no arguing that the young woman who slept with him screwed up (played by Sara Paxton). However, you have to ask if it’s really the countries business at all? More importantly, does the press have any right to report it? Even more importantly though, does the press play a role in shaping the elections in the country in the way they report on the candidates? Are the ones that are supposed to inform the people the ones who are actually controlling the opinions of the people? Is there such a thing as non-biased reporting in this day in age? The last question I have is whether The Front Runner meant to burden me with all these questions?
Outside of the ethical quandaries that The Front Runner offers, there are some tremendous performances at its core. Of course, Jackman remains the central pillar of the film, specializing in bouts of righteous anger at the thought of being held responsible for his infidelities. Joining him is J.K. Simmons, who previously turned in another of his greatest acting performances working with Reitman in Whiplash. Then there is Vera Farmiga who plays the most dignified among the assortment of characters that The Front Runner, Harts wife who refuses to sacrifice her dignity for the sake of tabloid news. All of them make the tale of this failed campaign all the more compelling, especially given that The Front Runner is a dialogue driven film.
Reitman takes a serious nod from Robert Altman (and to a lesser extent Ridley Scott) by having much of the film focus on simple scenes with characters exchanging overlapping dialogue. Much of The Front Runner takes place behind the scenes of political debates or during photo ops as his campaign aids discuss strategy and damage control while Gary smiles for the camera. For me though it was watching the film exposes how the campaign process took place back in the “golden age” of politics that really perked my interest. It’s a lot of standing around and talking shop, and it works so well because it has a cast that could read a phone book and make it interesting. In other words, The Front Runner is a perfect example of a movie that built itself around its strengths, which is actually a lot less common than you might think.
Needless to say, I’m torn about The Front Runner. It’s a film that raises a lot of questions and ones that don’t have easy answers. Then again, that’s the point where a flick starts to become art. It’s social commentary in the best possible way because it doesn’t force you to think, but encourages you to that instead. Honestly, The Front Runner has given me a lot to think about, and that makes it well worth the price of admission.
